Law Students Guide to and out of the University
Doing law is an arduous task; or, at least, so they say. However, I can assure you that you can turn your stay at University into a walk in the park. Some may well criticize me for generalizing or, indeed, being too optimistic; for such people I have only three words to say:
Please, read on.
Make a good use of your money
Even though this statement might sound a bit materialistic, it is by no means driven by avarice but by pure realism and pragmatism. Ten thousand pounds are not your lunch money and thus you must fully appreciate what you can and must get for them.
Students (especially law students) tend to forget that University is not only a series of lectures, seminars, textbooks, essays and exams. Rather, students should see University as a network of opportunities. What I mean by that rather clich metaphor is that in order make the best out of your stay at University you ought to take part in extra- curricular activities as well as pro- bono work. Here are some ideas which are backed up with arguments, the sole reason being that I am fully aware that this article will be read be lawyer- wannabes.
Societies- a way to stand out
What are your extra- curricular activities and interests? What responsibilities and duties did you hold while studying at University?
Whether you like it or not, the above will feature in every single training contract application form you opt to fill in. Also, there is 90% chance that you will also be asked this question in any job interview. Employers are not fond of answers such as:
Basketball, Singing, Volleyball
Or
I really like jogging
I am sure that as future lawyers you all spotted what is missing- evidence. Some may say that employers rarely ever ask for it; however, guess how surprised I was when, at a group interview, I was asked to name the last basketball team I played for. So, in order to avoid such awkward scenarios, find out what activity you are good at and enlist for the society in question. Also, always remember that, although you will be advised to do so on quite a regular basis, it is utterly impossible to spend more that eight to nine hours reading and studying per day. Filling in the other five hours with extracurricular activities will pay off in the long run.
Remember- employers have enough computers in their offices- what they need is people.
Pro- bono Work
Why did you choose a career in law?
NEVER answer such a question as follows:
Because of the money and power which are vested in its exercise
For the better part of the world, being a lawyer is being arrogant, nasty and mean by default. This is your chance to prove to everyone that this is not the case. Never underestimate the power of volunteering.
If your university has its own law firm which is involved in pro- bono work, do your best to be actively involved in its work. If not, you can always go to the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau and ask whether you could enlist as volunteer- they would never turn you down. Volunteering will aid you in a myriad of ways, the most important being that it will give you an appreciation and understanding of the legal profession, procedures and terminology. Also, it will demonstrate to future employers that you are interested in helping others and not only in taking their money.
Finally, having volunteered and obtained the abovementioned knowledge, you can also counter this increasingly annoying statement
You have been unsuccessful at this point due to your lack of experience.
Socializing and Networking
It is worth pondering whether a book can help you find a job. Well, maybe metaphorically, it can. However, a person can do so quite literally. Unfortunately, in todays state of economic affairs it is true that it is not important what you know but who you know.
Thus, it is of paramount importance to attend most of the law facultys socials, dinners and even pub crawls. You might well think (as I did) that this is way below your level; surely, it is absurd for a law student to take part in a social called Cops and Crooks whilst wearing a ridiculous costume. Nevertheless, looking at it from where I stand now, it does not sound that ludicrous. Funnily enough, a friend of mine of was dressed in barely anything at a party now has a training contract with a shipping law firm because she met this guy whose father had a law firm. It so happened that I did not attend this party but rather decided to stay home and do some tort law reading for an upcoming test. This, of course, resulted in my not meeting this guy and not securing a training contract.
Even though the above might sound obvious and ridiculous to you, I can assure you that at least 60% of law students get so stressed out with studies that they never show up at such occasions. Remember, however, that the person who might be annoyingly drunk at a party may well be the successful lawyer who might be happy and willing to help you out in the future.
Mooting
Please outline any distinctions and awards which you have achieved at University.
Even though drinking games do not count when it comes to the above, most employers would appreciate it if you have demonstrated your desire to take active part in debates. This can easily be done by taking part in the Mooting Competitions which are organised by every single law faculty in the United Kingdom.
